System and method for RFID-enabled information collection
Inventors
Fink, Patrick W. • Lin, Gregory Y. • Kennedy, Timothy F. • Ngo, Phong H. • Byerly, Diane
Assignees
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
Publication Number
US-9336421-B1
Publication Date
2016-05-10
Expiration Date
2033-03-08
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Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention disclosed relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection. The system includes an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and multiple RFID field sensors, each with an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. The interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, which then generates an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. This electromagnetic field is influenced by one or more factors or conditions referred to as influences. The RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing their identifications back to the interrogator, which measures returned signal strength indications (RSSI) and sends these measurements with the sensor identifications to the processor to determine facts about the influences affecting the electromagnetic field.
The invention addresses the problem of monitoring and managing inventory where attachment of individual RFID sensors to small items, such as pills or grains, is impractical due to their size or cost. Additionally, it provides sensing capabilities for level detectors, distributed pressure sensors, and other environments where electromagnetic fields within enclosures can be influenced by fill materials or applied pressures. The technology overcomes challenges related to enabling RFID tracking and sensing in environments where conventional RFID tagging of individual objects is not feasible.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims which cover systems and apparatuses involving RFID-enabled ring elements coupled to source elements and related processing.
System for RFID-enabled information collection using ring elements and source elements
A system comprising one or more ring elements, each including a conductive ring connected to an RFID integrated circuit; at least one source element; an interrogator capable of transmitting signals to the source element; and the conductive rings configured to couple to their source elements when in a particular position and orientation. This energizes the associated RFID circuits to respond, and a processor communicates with the interrogator to derive information about the positions and orientations of the ring elements relative to the source elements.
Apparatus for RFID-enabled information collection with ring elements and source elements
An apparatus comprising one or more ring elements with conductive rings connected to RFID integrated circuits, and at least one source element responsive to interrogator signals and capable of transmitting responses from the RFID circuits when energized. The coupling of conductive rings to their source elements in certain positions and orientations energizes the RFID circuits to respond with signals analyzed by a processor to determine positioning and orientation information of the ring elements relative to the source elements.
The independent claims focus on inventive features involving conductive ring elements mechanically coupled relative to source elements to selectively energize RFID circuits and using interrogators and processors to analyze responses to derive positional and orientational information.
Stated Advantages
Permits moderate to very fine resolution RFID tracking, including for small or difficult-to-tag items like pills where attachment of individual RFID sensors is impractical or prohibited.
Enables remote, battery-free monitoring of material fill levels, pressure, and inventory in various enclosures and dispensers.
Allows identification and removal of extraneous environmental variations by comparing reference RFID signals to those inside an enclosure, improving measurement accuracy.
Supports diverse enclosure configurations such as waveguides, cavities, and conductive fabrics facilitating tailored sensing applications.
Facilitates enhanced sensing by using the position of travelers and conductive patterns within dispensers, enabling determination of item quantities and movements without direct tagging of individual items.
Documented Applications
Monitoring and managing inventory including RFID-enabled dispensers for small items like pills or grains where direct attachment of RFID sensors is impractical.
Level detection for sensing the material filling a volume in containers or enclosures.
Distributed pressure sensing, including applications like RFID-enabled pressure sensing gloves and keypads.
RFID-enabled item dispensers with mechanisms to infer the number and type of items remaining based on electromagnetic field influences and RFID sensor responses.
Position and orientation sensing of ring elements relative to source elements, such as in door position detection.
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